Unicamp, Greek community work together for children’s sake

Tuesday, February 2, 1999

Unicamp, Greek community work together for children’s sake

PHILANTHROPY: Charity hopes combined efforts would send
underprivileged kids to camp

By Stacy Garrick

Daily Bruin Contributor

The UCLA Greek community and Unicamp, UCLA’s official charity,
held a system-wide Unicamp kickoff event Monday in Westwood Plaza
to mark the beginning of the 1999 "Kids to Unicamp" Campaign.

The Greek community presented a $10,000 donation to Unicamp, an
educational and recreational program which provides children of
low-income families in the Los Angeles area an opportunity to
attend a week at camp.

"Four months ago, we got the idea to put the Greek system behind
the camp," said Dean Ho, internal vice president of the
Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC). "We’re starting with this
kickoff."

Los Angeles District Attorney Gil Garcetti spoke at the event,
thanking the university and the Greek system for their support of
Unicamp.

"What the kids need at Unicamp is inspiration," he said. "That’s
what you give them."

Garcetti, whose wife was a Unicamp counselor while at UCLA, is
currently a member of the Unicamp Honorary Board of Trustees.

Karen Lippold, a Unicamp development associate, also thanked the
Greek community and contributors such as Daewoo, which made a
$1,000 donation to Unicamp in the name of the UCLA Greek community,
STA Travel, L.A. Fitness, The Gap, California Pizza Kitchen and
others. "We will reach our goal because it is important that the
kids love camp. In fact, these kids certainly need camp," she said,
adding that the charity’s goal is to send 1,000 children to camp
this summer.

Monday’s event marks the beginning of the first unified Greek
system philanthropy in several years, with Panhellenic, IFC,
National PanHellenic and the Asian Greek Council all involved in
supporting Unicamp.

"We want to get involved and do our best to give back to the
community," said Adam Farasati, IFC director of communications.

Members of the Greek community wore Unicamp T-shirts to increase
awareness of the charity. Other students got involved through
speeches and UCLA Unicamp cheers. For example, Sargent Veal and
Lamar Harris of Phi Beta Sigma presented a step routine during the
rally.

Additionally, Greek support of Unicamp includes a commitment to
send five fraternity members and five sorority members to help
rebuild the camp for the summer.

"Part of Unicamp’s mission is training UCLA students to be
leaders of the next generation while helping our campers to
envision better futures and better lives," said Michael Delzotti,
executive director and CEO of Unicamp.

"These kids have literally nothing. For many, it’s their first
chance to have three meals per day," Delzotti said.

"This is the biggest student fundraiser I’ve ever seen," said
Kristina Caberto, a fourth-year communication studies student and a
Unicamp volunteer for the last five years.

Huy Hoang, a Unicamp head counselor assistant, praised the Greek
involvement.

"They have the man-power and the numbers out there to help us,"
he said.

Next October, Unicamp will be beginning a year-round mentorship
program between UCLA students and underprivileged children.

Unicamp has recently purchased its own camp thanks to a $330,000
private donation and are looking to buy a second camp through
another donor.

Last year the charity raised $64,000.

"People were coming out of the woodwork to help us," Delzotti
said of college student involvement.

Unicamp was founded in 1935 during the height of the American
depression and was designated by charter in the 1940s as UCLA’s
official charity.

Michael Wilson, chapter president of Phi Beta Sigma, said he was
excited about the Greek’s support of Unicamp.

"It’s a good way for Greeks to show we do community service," he
said. "And I can go home at night and feel good."LEAH SWALLEY

L.A. District Attorney Gil Garcetti spoke at the Unicamp kickoff
event Monday.

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